Not all of it as I understand - they designed then built the buildings and then worked out not everyone would fit in. Genius!!!

Click to expand...

Er...not quite!

Package 2 of the DTR was deemed to be uneconomical and thus has been binned. This package would have seen a lot of Tri-Service trade training being conducted at St Athan for those trades that had clear cross-overs between the Services ie supplier trg.

Package 1 was endorsed and will see Tri-Service engineering training moving to St Athan.

I am currently stationed at MoD St Athan, and to my knowledge...... Just looking out of my window No building work has started yet on this new super training establishment. There are loads and loads of old RAF buildings that are falling to rubble, but nothing new. Maybe they had better get a move on if they are going to be operational by 2013. It has currently taken my unit two years just to negotiate the construction of an internal fence! This could be another MoD white elephant!

On a more informative note, I believe their is a problems with housing. When they initially planned to close St Athan, over 75% of the housing stock was sold to private housing company's. The Silly Bills in Whitehall! Now they do not have enough space to build the academy and all the housing requirements for the academy and the resident unit. Some land has been compulsory purchased on the East Camp side from the local population, and what dramas that caused

It has been said (for about 2 years) that Blanford will close as a tri-service training establishment and move to St Athen in 2014.

Far be it for me to scoff at these plans, however Javelin Barracks in Elmpt is also due to close that year, and there is real estate to realise this plan in various sites in UK, but the same dramas as St Athen has been found, no qtrs.

Typical MOD, sell everything off and then rent it back for double the price